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IRT Dalmeny volunteer wins award
4 November 2011
IRT Dalmeny volunteer Yvonne Robinson has won the 2011 South Coast Southern Inland Senior Volunteer of the Year award and will now go onto the state awards in December.
Yvonne was presented with her award in Wollongong on October 25.
Yvonne has been a volunteer at IRT Dalmeny for the past 10 years and during that time worked in the Community’s shop and served on the Care Centre Auxiliary. She was instrumental in setting up the Community’s Pets as Therapy Program and has been an active member of the Animal Welfare League for many years. Yvonne also hits the right notes with IRT Dalmeny Care Centre residents when she plays the organ for them on a fortnightly basis.
IRT Area Manager - Eurobodalla Helen Spence said Yvonne was a very committed and dedicated volunteer. “She does a wonderful job at IRT Dalmeny and we are grateful to have a volunteer like Yvonne at our Community,” she said. “Yvonne displays a rare degree of compassion and empathy for all living things, no matter how large or small.”
IRT Dalmeny is one of several aged care communities Yvonne volunteers at. “Our residents look for her on the days she is due to visit,” Helen said. “She always attends with her own pet. Our Lifestyle Officer notes that even though several residents have memory loss, Yvonne’s visits are often well recalled.”
Helen said many residents were parted from their pets when they came into care and Yvonne’s Pets as Therapy Program gave residents a chance to relax, reminisce and have some fun.
The 2011 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award Ceremony will take place at Parliament House, Sydney on December 5.
For further information please contact:
Melissa Michie
Communications Coordinator
Phone: 4221 6653 or 0419 789 841
Note to Editors: Please refer to IRT as “IRT” not “Illawarra Retirement Trust” – thank you
About IRT:
IRT is one of Australia’s largest community based seniors lifestyle and care providers. It has been providing seniors lifestyle and care solutions for over 40 years. IRT manages communities in more than 30 locations across the Illawarra, South Coast of NSW, Sydney and Canberra and provides solutions to over 6000 customers.
